Tip Top Cape Town Food Tours and Culinary Activities

Restaurants are only one way to experience food in Cape Town. Below, you’ll find some of the best foodie experiences - food tours and culinary activities - that will introduce you to Cape Town food and the city’s culinary culture.

These culinary tours and activities are brought to you by two local Capetonians - freelance travel writer and founder of Wanderlust Movement, Lauren Melnick, and our talented adventure-loving travel writer, Sue Maude.

1. Go on a Cape Town Food Tour with Eat Like a Local

For foodies who want to delve deeper into Cape Town’s rich culinary culture, book a food tour with Eat Like a Local. 

Led by a knowledgeable guide, the walking tour includes nine food and drink tastings in the Bo-Kaap and Cape Town centres.

…And if you’re vegan?

No problem! There’s a plant-based option too!

2. Take a Cape Malay Cooking Class

Faeeza’s Home Kitchen is the go-to spot to learn the art of Cape Malay cooking. Hosted by Faeeza, you’ll cook traditional dishes such as samoosas, curries, and roti. 

It’s a delicious way to connect with the cultural heritage of the Bo-Kaap and level up your cooking repertoire.

3. Hop on the Franschhoek Wine Tram

The Franschhoek Wine Tram is one of the best ways to explore Stellenbosch’s renowned wine region.

Choose your wine tram line, hop on board, and indulge in wine tastings at each estate along the route.

Whether you’re a wine connoisseur or just looking for a relaxing day of sipping and sightseeing, the scenic views and award-winning wines make this a must-do experience. 

4. Eat Your Way Through a Weekend Market

Cape Town’s weekend markets are a treasure trove of local flavours, making them an essential stop for foodies in Cape Town. These bustling markets offer everything from artisanal breads and fresh produce to gourmet street food and handmade desserts. 

Perfect for a laid-back Saturday or Sunday, you can sample an array of local and international dishes.

Add these markets to your gastronomy bucket list and arrive hungry:

• Neighbourgoods Market at the Old Biscuit Mill

• Oranjezicht City Farm Market

• Mojo Market in Sea Point

• The Market at the V&A Waterfront

5. Taste the Historic High Tea at Mount Nelson, a Belmond Hotel 

Mount Nelson’s historic High Tea is a luxurious tradition that is worth every nibble.

Taking place in the hotel’s elegant lounge or garden terrace, the high tea features a selection of finger sandwiches, scones with cream and jam, and an array of finely crafted pastries and cakes. 

Paired with speciality teas from South Africa and around the world, it’s a delicious foodie experience in one of Cape Town’s most iconic hotels.

6. Forage and Feast at a Coastal Foraging Workshop

Veld and Sea's coastal foraging workshops take you to discover the unique flavours of the ocean, from edible seaweeds to shellfish harvested sustainably from the intertidal zone. 

After foraging, the group heads to the Veld and Sea headquarters for a hands-on cooking demonstration, culminating in a delicious coastal-inspired feast. 

7. Eat Seafood on the Beach

Die Strandloper Seafood Boma offers a unique, rustic seafood experience right on the beach. The open-air setting, 120 kilometres north of Cape Town, has sand underfoot and offers stunning views of the Lagoon.

Guests are treated to a 10-course feast showcasing traditional West Coast dishes such as black mussels in wine, grilled snoek fish with sweet potato, freshly baked bread, and a half portion of West Coast rock lobster (when available). The meal is cooked over open fires, with each course served leisurely over three to four hours.

8. Explore Food and Wine on a Wine Pairing Experience

Cape Town and its surroundings offer a diverse range of unique food and wine pairing experiences. Many wine estates showcase their wines with thoughtful pairings of food flavours designed to bring out the best in their wines:

• At Cavalli Estate, cool down with a refreshing sorbet and wine pairing. Enjoy 4 unique sorbet ice lollies paired with 4 Cavalli wines, perfect for summer. 

• Stellenrust Estate offers a classic combination of 3 cakes and 3 wines.

• Groot Constantia pairs 5 handcrafted chocolates with their heritage wines.

• Villiera Wines brings a bubbly twist with 4 of their Cap Classiques paired with flavours of nougat, offering a delightful balance between sweetness and effervescence. 

• Delheim pairs fynbos-infused cupcakes with their wines, highlighting various flavours of the Cape Floral Kingdom. 

• Perdeberg Cellar adds even more options, pairing their wines with candy floss, marshmallow, or biltong.

9. Helicopter Picnic in the Mountains

Spoil yourself with an exclusive fly-in helicopter picnic at a secluded spot overlooking the stunning Jonkershoek Valley, near Stellenbosch. Departing from Cape Town's V&A Waterfront Helipad, a 25-minute helicopter flight takes you to the majestic Stellenbosch mountains, offering breathtaking views along the way. Land at a private picnic site, where you are treated to a gourmet lunch prepared by a personal chef, along with a selection of fine Stellenbosch wines and other drinks.

10. Visit Cape Town’s Secret Bars

The last of our Cape Town culinary activities is more about the drinks than the food, but it's a fun mystery adventure and you can add tasty snacks to the experience.

Tucked away in unassuming locations, these secret bars require some sleuthing and exploration. 

Once you figure out how to get inside, you’re treated to an intimate atmosphere, creative cocktails, and expert mixology. Each bar has its own distinctive theme, from speakeasy-style spots to prohibition-era hideaways.

While you’ll need to figure out how to find these bars yourself, Nightcap and Art of Duplicity are expensive, but the cocktails and vibe are worth it.

Planning a Holiday in Cape Town?

If you are planning a holiday to Cape Town you can read our FREE guide to the Mother City that is packed with useful information about this dazzling destination. 

For more information contact African Budget Safaris and talk to one of our experienced travel consultants who can arrange everything from Cape Town safaris to Cape Point day trips and Whale Route tours.

At African Budget Safaris, we can design the trip that is just right for you, offer expert travel advice, and assist you with logistics and bookings.

Browse our Cape Town Tours to see what is on offer...

Lauren Melnick Author

Lauren Melnick is a freelance travel writer and runs Wanderlust Movement, a South Africa travel blog. When she isn't in front of her computer, you can find her rock climbing, running after cats, playing a downtempo DJ set or hosting group tours around South Africa and Morocco.

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